Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has vowed to deal with individuals involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, regardless of their political affiliation.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Mr. Nelson stated that his administration is fully committed to the fight against illegal mining and will not shield anyone found culpable.
“We will deal with those behind illegal galamsey. We are not ready to cover up for anyone. If someone is involved in this illegality, we will take action,” he assured.
As a three-term regional secretary of the ruling party, Mr. Nelson said he knows all party members in the region and will ensure that no one receives protection if found to be engaging in illegal activities.
“There are reports that some party members are behind these illegal operations. We are investigating, and I can assure you that we won’t shield anyone,” he stated.
He stressed that if authorities were only interested in protecting individuals, no arrests would have been made.
“We are committed to the fight, and the commitment is there. The sector minister’s stance on this issue is also encouraging for us as regional ministers, and we are ready to support efforts to combat illegal mining,” he added.
Mr. Nelson also addressed the recent assault of a journalist, condemning the act and calling for strict punishment for those involved.
“Those who attacked the journalist must be punished to serve as a deterrent to others,” he insisted.
Despite the challenges in tackling illegal mining, he urged all stakeholders, including the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), to remain resolute in their efforts to protect the country’s water bodies and environment.
“My administration will not shy away from coordinating efforts to fight this menace and restore our environment,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the Western Regional Police Command has raided illegal mining sites in Avelebo and Akango, located in the Evalue Ajomoro-Gwira District.
During the operation, the police seized 10 excavators and arrested 15 individuals, including seven foreign nationals and eight Ghanaian miners.
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